The Ministry of Interior has issued a directive ordering the immediate arrest of any Afghan national found in Pakistan without a valid visa, effective July 10.
The directive, addressed to chief secretaries of all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and the chief commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory, referenced decisions taken during a review meeting on the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan (IFRP) held on June 1.
The ministry noted that during the meeting, “All provincial governments, special area governments and the ICT Administration were directed to expedite the repatriation/deportation of Afghan nationals, including visa overstay cases, and to ensure strict implementation of the IFRP.”
“With effect from July 10, 2026, any Afghan national found residing in Pakistan without a valid visa shall be arrested immediately,” the notification read.
The ministry directed that instructions be passed down to all deputy commissioners, district administrations, police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure “uniform and effective implementation” of the order.
The directive also called for daily reports starting July 11 detailing the number of Afghan nationals found without valid visas, the action taken against them, and their current status.
“The matter may be accorded top priority and compliance ensured in letter and spirit,” the notification added.
Millions of Afghans have lived in Pakistan over the past several decades, having fled successive wars. Hundreds of thousands more arrived after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
A deportation drive first launched in 2023 was renewed in April last year when the government rescinded residence permits for a large number of Afghans, warning of arrests for those who did not leave. Over a million Afghan nationals were deported in 2025 alone, a Senate Standing Committee was told.
Official figures put the total at 1,155,221including 163,429 proof of registration card holders, 74,943 Afghan citizen card holders, 509,671 undocumented individuals and 407,178 voluntary returnees.
The United Nations (UN) refugee agency United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) noted that returns appeared to have picked up pace this year, with nearly 150,000 Afghans going back from Pakistan and Iran by mid-February 2026 adding to the 5.4 million who have returned to Afghanistan from the two countries since October 2023.
